Hydrology and Precipitation Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary input vector of the hydrologic cycle?

  • Precipitation
  • Evaporation
  • Transpiration (correct)
  • Infiltration

Which climatic factor DOES NOT directly influence the form and quantity of precipitation?

  • Temperature
  • Wind
  • Atmospheric Pressure
  • Solar radiation (correct)

What is the initial process in the formation of precipitation?

  • Deposition of ice crystals
  • Condensation of water vapor (correct)
  • Sublimation of water
  • Infiltration of water

What would be the most direct consequence of a complete absence of precipitation?

<p>Severe water scarcity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hydrological studies would NOT directly rely on understanding the characteristics of precipitation?

<p>Tectonic plate movement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct form of precipitation?

<p>Fog (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT generally considered a primary characteristic of rainfall?

<p>Viscosity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The formation of clouds is most directly related to which process?

<p>Condensation of water vapor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rain gauge provides a measurement that is typically read at weekly or monthly intervals?

<p>Storage rain gauge (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a storm's intensity duration is defined as the shortest period of significant rainfall intensity, how should the storm duration compare to this?

<p>It must exceed the intensity duration. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a rainfall measurement of ‘trace’ indicate?

<p>The rainfall was less than 1 mm. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the standard unit of measurement for rainfall intensity?

<p>mm/h (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between rainfall duration and peak runoff?

<p>Different durations influence the timing of peak runoff in rivers and streams. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the intensity of rainfall generally determined from a recording rain gauge?

<p>By using the curve of time versus cumulative depth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If 1 cm of rain falls over 1 sq km, what volume of water does this represent?

<p>$10^4 m^3$ (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of historical storm analysis in determining appropriate rainfall durations?

<p>To assist in setting appropriate rainfall durations for analysis or design. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of precipitation is characterized by the lifting of warm air over a colder, denser air mass at a frontal surface?

<p>Frontal precipitation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor causes convective precipitation?

<p>Rising of warmer and lighter air (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the formation of warm-front precipitation?

<p>Warm air advancing upward over a cold air mass (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the principal mechanism behind orographic precipitation?

<p>Mechanical lifting of air over mountain barriers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which rainfall characteristic is measured as total rainfall amount over a specific period?

<p>Rainfall depth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic pattern do storm precipitation often follow in rugged terrain?

<p>Patterns resembling mean annual precipitation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cold-front precipitation from warm-front precipitation?

<p>Cold front precipitation is more showery in nature whereas warm-front precipitation forms slowly. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct cause of temperature differences that result in convective precipitation?

<p>Air converging into a high pressure area (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental principle behind the Thiessen mean method for calculating average rainfall?

<p>It weights rainfall data based on the area of influence of each rain gauge. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Thiessen mean method, if P1, P2, and P3 are rainfalls and A1, A2, and A3 are corresponding polygon areas, how is the average rainfall (Pave) calculated?

<p>Pave = (A1<em>P1 + A2</em>P2 + A3*P3) / (A1 + A2 + A3) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary unit of measurement for rainfall collected by a rain gauge?

<p>Millimeters (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary disadvantage of the Thiessen mean method related to changes in the rain gauge network?

<p>It requires recalculating the Thiessen polygons with every modification. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a rain gauge?

<p>To collect and quantify the amount of rain that falls in a given area (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of the Thiessen mean method, what is the typical assumption about the influence area of a rain gauge?

<p>Each polygon area is influenced by the rain gauge station inside it. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rain gauge provides an automatic rainfall record without needing a bottle?

<p>Recording rain gauge (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of the Thiessen mean method related to the use of data?

<p>It uses precipitation data from stations both inside and outside the watershed. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a non-recording rain gauge provide?

<p>Total rainfall over a particular time period (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key step in constructing Thiessen polygons?

<p>Constructing triangles by connecting adjacent stations, then drawing perpendicular bisectors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the diameter of the collecting area in a Symon's rain gauge?

<p>127 mm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the Thiessen mean method in the context of geographic effects?

<p>It does not consider topographical effects on precipitation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Thiessen method considered more accurate than simple arithmetic averaging?

<p>It assigns greater weight to stations with larger areas of influence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what time is the rainfall measurement typically recorded using the Symon's rain gauge?

<p>8:30 AM IST (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the accuracy of the graduated measuring jar used with the Symon's rain gauge?

<p>0.1 ml (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides the total rainfall depth, what additional information can be obtained from a recording rain gauge?

<p>Rainfall intensity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary advantage of using a recording rain gauge over a non-recording gauge?

<p>Provides data on rainfall intensity at any given time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a listed benefit of using a recording rain gauge?

<p>Providing precise measurements during intense rainfall events. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key disadvantage of recording rain gauges?

<p>They can be unreliable when faults arise in the gauge. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a common type of recording rain gauge?

<p>Funnel type rain gauge. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a tipping bucket rain gauge, what volume of rainfall causes the bucket to tip?

<p>0.25 mm (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism does the tipping bucket rain gauge use to record rainfall?

<p>An electrical circuit that drives a pen on a drum. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following situations is the tipping bucket rain gauge least suitable for?

<p>Measuring very light drizzle. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the diameter of the funnel in a common tipping bucket rain gauge?

<p>30 cm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is precipitation?

Precipitation refers to any form of water, such as rain, snow, or hail, that falls from the atmosphere to Earth's surface.

Importance of Precipitation

Precipitation is crucial for the hydrologic cycle as it replenishes water sources like rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

How does Precipitation form?

The process of precipitation starts with water vapor in the atmosphere. This vapor condenses to form clouds, which eventually release water as precipitation.

Types of Precipitation

Precipitation can occur in various forms, including rain, snow, hail, and sleet. Each form has unique characteristics and impacts.

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Rainfall Characteristics

Depth refers to the total amount of precipitation accumulated over a given period, while duration measures the time it falls. Intensity describes the rate of precipitation.

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Point Rainfall Measurement

Point rainfall measurement refers to the amount of precipitation recorded at a specific location using rain gauges.

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Mass Rainfall Curve

A mass rainfall curve depicts the total accumulated rainfall over time, providing a comprehensive view of precipitation trends.

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Hyetograph

A hyetograph is a graphical representation of rainfall intensity over time, illustrating the distribution of rainfall over a specific period.

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Cyclonic Precipitation

Precipitation caused by the rising of air due to low pressure convergence, forming a cyclone.

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Frontal Precipitation

Cyclonic precipitation caused by the lifting of warm air over colder air along a front.

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Warm-Front Precipitation

Frontal precipitation where warm air rises over a colder air mass.

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Cold-Front Precipitation

Frontal precipitation with showers caused by cold air pushing warm air upward.

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Convective Precipitation

Precipitation caused by the rising of warmer air in cooler surroundings.

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Orographic Precipitation

Precipitation caused by air being forced upward over mountain barriers.

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Rainfall Depth

The total amount of rain that falls over a specific period of time, usually measured in millimeters or inches.

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Rainfall Duration

The length of time rain falls continuously at a location.

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Storage Rain Gauge

A common type of rain gauge that collects rainfall and measures the depth of water collected at regular intervals, such as weekly or monthly.

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Rainfall Intensity

The rate at which rainfall occurs, measured in millimeters per hour (mm/h).

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Precipitation Depth

The depth of rainwater that would accumulate on a flat surface if all the precipitation fell evenly.

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Recording Rain Gauge

A type of rain gauge that records rainfall continuously, usually over a day.

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Standard Rain Gauge

A type of rain gauge that measures rainfall at a specific point in time, without recording any data about the duration or intensity.

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Trace Rainfall

A unit of measurement for rainfall less than 1mm used when precipitation is very light.

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Intensity Duration

The shortest period of significant rainfall intensity within a storm event. It must be shorter than the overall storm duration.

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What is the Thiessen Mean Method?

Thiessen Mean Method is a technique to calculate the average precipitation for a region using weighted averages based on the proximity of rain gauges to surrounding areas.

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What are Thiessen Polygons?

Each rain gauge is assigned an area of influence, called a Thiessen polygon, which covers all locations closest to that specific gauge. The polygon is defined by perpendicular bisectors drawn between the gauges.

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How is the average precipitation calculated using the Thiessen Mean Method?

The average precipitation for the entire region is calculated by summing up the products of each polygon's area and its corresponding rain gauge's precipitation value, and then dividing the result by the total area.

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Why is the Thiessen Mean Method generally more accurate than arithmetic averaging?

The Thiessen Mean Method is generally more accurate than simple arithmetic averaging because it factors in the proximity of gauges to different parts of the region.

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What is a limitation of the Thiessen Mean Method?

A disadvantage of the Thiessen Mean Method is that it ignores the influence of topographic features, such as hills and valleys, on precipitation patterns.

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What is another drawback of the Thiessen Mean Method?

Another disadvantage is that whenever a new rain gauge is added or removed, the Thiessen polygons need to be recalculated, making the method less flexible for changing networks.

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Does Thiessen Mean Method consider data from outside the region?

The Thiessen Mean Method utilizes data from rain gauges located outside the region of interest if they are closer to the polygons.

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How does the Thiessen Mean Method determine the weights for each rain gauge?

The Thiessen Mean Method assigns weights to each rain gauge based on the size of its polygon, reflecting the relative influence of each gauge.

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Rain Gauge

A simple tool that measures the amount of rainfall in a specific area over a period of time. It collects rainwater in a container and measures the volume.

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Non-Recording Rain Gauge

A type of rain gauge that simply measures the total rainfall accumulated during a specific time period.

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Symon's Rain Gauge

A specific type of non-recording rain gauge that measures total rainfall over a 24-hour period.

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What is a rain gauge?

This is a non-recording rain gauge used by meteorologists to collect and quantify rainfall in mm.

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What's the difference between a recording and a non-recording rain gauge?

This type of rain gauge provides continuous data about rainfall, while a non-recording rain gauge only tracks a single measurement.

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Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

A type of recording rain gauge that relies on a tipping bucket mechanism to measure rainfall. When a specific volume of rain accumulates in a bucket, it tips, triggering an electrical signal that is recorded.

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Weighing Bucket Rain Gauge

A type of recording rain gauge that measures rainfall by the weight of the water collected in a container. The weight is converted into a digital signal, which can be recorded and analyzed.

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Siphon or Float Type Rain Gauge

This type of rain gauge utilizes floating mechanisms to measure rainfall. As the water level rises, it lifts a float, creating a signal that is recorded.

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Total Rainfall

The total amount of rainfall collected over a specific period, usually expressed in millimeters (mm) or inches (in).

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Study Notes

Precipitation

  • Precipitation is any liquid or frozen water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. It's the primary component of the hydrologic cycle.
  • Forms include rain, snow, hail, drizzle, and sleet.
  • Affected by factors like wind, temperature, and atmospheric pressure.
  • Crucial for various hydrological processes like infiltration, runoff, and groundwater recharge.
  • Essentia for human consumption, agriculture, and other crucial hydrological studies.

Formation of Precipitation

  • Two main processes: ice crystal process (Bergeron process) and collision-coalescence process.
  • Ice crystal process common in colder climates where clouds form at temperatures below freezing point (supercooled water).
  • Ice crystals grow at the expense of water droplets due to the different saturation vapor pressures.
  • Collision-coalescence process predominant in warm clouds, where large droplets collide and merge with smaller droplets.

Different forms of Precipitation

  • Rain: liquid water drops larger than 0.5 mm in diameter. Different intensities (light, moderate, heavy) based on rate of fall.
  • Drizzle: tiny liquid water droplets (0.1-0.5 mm diameter). Settling at slow rate; rarely exceeds 1 mm/hr.
  • Glaze: clear, smooth ice coating on surfaces from freezing supercooled water.
  • Rime: white, opaque deposit of ice formed by rapid freezing of supercooled water droplets.
  • Snow: ice crystals, often agglomerated into snowflakes (up to 100 mm in diameter).
  • Hail: ice balls formed in convective clouds (cumulonimbus). Spherical, conical, or irregular shapes; range from 5 to 125 mm in diameter.
  • Sleet: transparent, globular ice formed by freezing of raindrops or refreezing of melted ice crystals.

Rainfall Characteristics

  • Depth: total amount of rain over a specific timeframe (mm or inches). Measured using rain gauges.
  • Duration: time interval of rainfall (event). Significant impact on hydrological response of a watershed, soil absorption, and flood risk.
  • Intensity: depth of rainfall per unit time (mm/hr). Influences soil erosion, runoff, and flood occurrences.

Point Rainfall Measurement

  • Point rainfall: data representing rainfall at a specific location.
  • Standard/non-recording rain gauges: record total rainfall over a period.
  • Recording rain gauges: measure rainfall intensity and duration over various time intervals.

Different Types of Precipitation

  • Cyclonic precipitation: lifting of air into low-pressure systems (cyclone).
  • Can be frontal (warm air rising over cold air) or non-frontal.
  • Convective precipitation: rising of warmer, lighter air in cooler, denser surroundings. Driven by unequal heating/cooling and/or mechanical uplift (e.g., mountain barriers).
  • Orographic precipitation: forced uplift of air over mountain ranges. Strong influence in mountainous areas, creating characteristic storm patterns.

Mass Rainfall Curve

  • Graph representing the relationship between cumulative precipitation and time.
  • Used to determine storm duration and intensity. Derived from data from rain gauges.

Hyetograph

  • Graphical representation of rainfall intensity over time.
  • Developed from mass rainfall data; provides useful information for hydrological analysis.

Different Types of Rain Gauges

  • Non-recording rain gauges: measure total rainfall for a specified time period
  • Recording rain gauges: measure rainfall intensity and duration. Common types include tipping bucket, weighing bucket, and siphon/float types.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different recording types.

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Capiz State University CE 324 - Hydrology PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on the hydrologic cycle and the characteristics of precipitation. This quiz includes questions on climatic factors, rainfall measurement, and the processes involved in precipitation formation. Perfect for students studying environmental science or meteorology!

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